Emergency Preparation

Every community is different, and some disasters cannot be predicted – but there are many things you can do to ensure you and your family are prepared for various incident types. In central Alberta, and being lake communities, the SVREMP encourages our residents and stakeholders to take a moment to consider the following incident types applicable to our region:

Be Prepared for Emergencies in Alberta

Emergencies can happen at any time, often with little warning. Wildfires, severe storms, flooding, power outages, transportation disruptions, and other emergencies can affect our communities. Taking a few simple steps now can help keep you and your family safe when an emergency occurs.

Know the Risks

Alberta communities can experience a variety of emergencies, including:

• Wildfires
• Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes
• Flooding
• Extreme heat and cold
• Power outages
• Hazardous material incidents
• Transportation disruptions

Understanding the risks in your area is the first step toward being prepared.

Make an Emergency Plan

Every household should have an emergency plan that includes:

• Emergency contact information
• A family meeting place
• Evacuation routes
• Plans for children, seniors, and pets
• Important medical information
• Communication plans if family members are separated

Talk with your family about what to do during different types of emergencies and review your plan regularly.

Build a 72-Hour Emergency Kit

Emergency responders may not be able to reach everyone immediately during a major emergency. Residents should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

Consider including:

• Water (at least 2 litres per person per day)
• Non-perishable food
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Battery-powered or crank radio
• First aid kit
• Prescription medications
• Personal hygiene items
• Extra clothing and blankets
• Important documents
• Cash in small denominations
• Supplies for pets

Store your kit in an easily accessible location and check it regularly to replace expired items.

Stay Informed

Reliable information is essential during an emergency.

Residents are encouraged to:

• Download the Alberta Emergency Alert app
• Monitor local emergency communications
• Follow trusted municipal and emergency management channels
• Listen to local radio and news sources during emergencies

Emergency alerts provide important information about hazards, evacuation orders, shelter-in-place instructions, and other protective actions.

Build Community Connections

Neighbours often play an important role during emergencies.

Consider:

• Checking in on seniors and vulnerable residents
• Sharing emergency preparedness information
• Getting to know your neighbours
• Creating local support networks

Strong communities are more resilient and better able to respond to emergencies.

Emergency Preparedness is a Journey

You do not need to do everything at once. Start with one simple step today—build a kit, create a plan, or download emergency alerts. Small actions taken now can make a big difference during an emergency.

For additional preparedness resources, visit Alberta Emergency Management and Public Safety and Public Safety Canada’s emergency preparedness resources.

Evacuation

If the situation gets severe enough, you may need to evacuate the area. This can be a stressful situation, but understanding the process can help. Ideally, an Evacuation Alert will be issued and disseminated in the community – possibly by television or media broadcast, or local messaging – before a mandatory evacuation is ordered. If the need arises this evacuation alert may be elevated to a mandatory Evacuation Order.  To help make this process a bit easier to manage, it is go idea to think about what you might want to do at the instance of a Evacuation Alert, so that you are more prepared if an Evacuation Order is issued.

Some evacuation considerations are:

• What is in the Plan? Where will you go to? What route will you take?
• Is the Emergency Kit out and ready to go?
• Is the vehicle fuelled up and in the driveway ready to go?
• Are there any irreplaceable belongs that you MUST take with you? Are they packed and ready to go?
• Have you considered the needs of your household pets? Are they ready to go, too? If they cannot go to the same facility as you, where will they go?
• Have you disconnected major appliances (except fridge/freezer), utilities (except gas unless specifically instructed to do so), and locked any auxiliary doors/windows before preparing to exit/lock the main entrance on exit?
• Do you have an inventory of your home and belongings – if anything is damaged or misplaced during a response having an inventory list, or pictures of your belongings can make the recovery process easier.

If the order comes to evacuate, you’ll be ready to head up in a safe and orderly fashion, and you’ll have a plan to focus on rather than last minute thoughts of what you should have done on the way out the door. Follow the local authority’s direction on available routes, or tune to Alberta 511 or AMA Road Reports to keep you on track. And whether you end up in the designated reception centre (as noted in the plan) or somewhere else – make sure and contact response staff to register your location and let friends, neighbours and family members that you’re okay.

Shelter In-Place

What Does “Shelter In Place” Mean?

A Shelter In Place order may be issued when it is safer to remain indoors than to evacuate. This can occur during severe weather, hazardous air conditions, wildfire smoke, chemical releases, transportation accidents, or other emergencies where going outside could put you at greater risk.

When local authorities issue a Shelter In Place order, residents should immediately move indoors and remain there until advised that it is safe to leave.

What To Do If A Shelter In Place Order Is Issued

1. Go Indoors Immediately

• Bring all household members and pets inside.
• Close and lock all doors and windows.
• Move to an interior room away from windows if directed to do so.

2. Secure Your Home

• Turn off fans, air conditioners, furnaces, and ventilation systems if hazardous air is involved.
• Close fireplace dampers and air vents.
• If advised, use plastic sheeting, duct tape, or damp towels to seal gaps around doors and windows.

3. Gather Emergency Supplies

Have enough supplies available to remain self-sufficient for at least 72 hours, including:

• Drinking water
• Non-perishable food
• Prescription medications
• Flashlights and batteries
• Battery-powered or crank radio
• Cell phone chargers and power banks
• First aid kit
• Pet food and supplies
• Important documents and identification

4. Stay Informed

Monitor official sources for updates and instructions:

• Alberta Emergency Alert
• Local municipal websites and social media channels
• Local radio stations
• SVREMP communications channels

5. Remain Indoors Until Advised Otherwise

Do not leave your shelter until emergency officials announce that the danger has passed or provide additional instructions.

Common Reasons For Sheltering In Place

Severe Weather

Examples include:

• Tornadoes
• Severe thunderstorms
• Extreme wind events
• Blizzards

Hazardous Air Conditions

Examples include:

• Chemical spills
• Industrial accidents
• Transportation incidents
• Smoke from wildfires

In these situations, reducing outside air entering your home is critical.